All for the Best — IA Venues Famous for Their Fare

Imagine you’ve chosen the most stunning Iowa venue with grand architecture, expansive event space, and superior service. Then imagine that the meal you serve in these magnificent surroundings is completely forgettable, or worse, absolutely awful? When choosing your event venue, why not focus on a space that is not only impressive, but known for serving only superior cuisine as well? Consider these Iowa venues famous for their fare:

The Venue:  Perched on the shores of the magnificent Mississippi River and adjacent to deluxe lodging, gaming, and entertainment venues, the Grand River Center has room for up to 1000 guests. Especially popular is the all-glass River Room with breathtaking views and balcony that extends over the Riverwalk, a 30,000-square foot exhibit hall, a 12,000-square foot ballroom, and six meeting rooms.

The Fare:  The talented on-site culinary staff at the Grand River Center provides magnificent, restaurant-quality food along with superior service. From hors d’oeuvres of Prosciutto with melon, to a mouthwatering menu of buffets, salads, plated dinners, and desserts, the staff makes this place a local favorite.

The Venue:  Mid-America Center, the Heartland’s premier entertainment and convention center with a 30,000-square foot pillar-free arena that seats 8000, and a 64,000-square foot convention center. Sleek and contemporary architecture, glass facades, expansive views, and spacious interiors make for a space where memorable events are hosted.

The Fare:  Everything on the menu is prepared by the award-winning culinary team and served to guests with flair.  There are also multiple restaurants in the area that welcome groups, from grilled food to steakhouses to cafes with fresh salad, soups, and sandwiches.

The Venue:  Spacious banquet facilities at the Waterfront Convention Center can accommodate up to 1500 guests. Stunning architecture and décor of the state-of-the-art facility make it an inviting choice of venue. The Convention Center is connected via skyway to the Isle, one of the Quad Cities’ casinos and the largest hotel in Iowa, with over 500 guest rooms.

The Fare:  Preparing your feast with the highest quality ingredients, the on-site catering team ensures your event cuisine is served fresh, hot, and delicious. Wide-ranging menu options include everything from plated breakfasts to breakfast buffets, break food, sandwiches, salads and wraps for lunch, to hors-d’oeuvres, and elegant plated dinners, buffets, and desserts.

The Venue:  Three impressive venues are available for your event at the Iowa State Center including Stephens Auditorium, the Scheman Building, and the Fisher Theater. With 25 flexible conference rooms, a 450-seat auditorium, 8000 square feet of exhibit space, and 2600 square feet of covered outdoor space, the choices seem limitless.

The Fare:  Full-service catering at the Iowa State Center invites you to explore a wide menu of options. The culinary staff is happy to cook up a waffle and pancake bar for that casual breakfast meeting; invite your guests to an Italian Pasta lunch buffet; or serve a sophisticated plated dinner of one of many chicken, pork, beef, fish, or vegetarian options.

The Venue:  Located on 415 acres, the Arboretum blossoms with hundreds of species of trees, shrubs, and flowers in a scenic, pastoral setting. With accommodations for up to 250, the Hughes Education Center at the Arboretum is spacious and welcoming, with a large classroom, full kitchen, and handicap accessibility. A charming outdoor pavilion and picturesque gazebo are also available spots to host your event.

The Fare:  On-site catering facilities enable you to offer guests a wide range of cuisines and menu options. Choose from full-plated breakfasts, lunch, and dinner choices with your own caterer or one of a list of preferred caterers from the Arboretum.

The Venue:  The Wells Fargo Arena, Hy-Vee Hall, and the Credit Union Convention Center offer state-of-the-art flexible meeting space and multiple event options at the Iowa Events Center. The Center is well-suited for large conventions, conferences, and events for up to 17,100 people.

The Fare:  The Center has an in-house catering company called Spectra Food Services and Hospitality. Celebrating ten years as the catering team for the Iowa Event Center, they will help guide you in menu planning, incorporating fresh, local ingredients into your meal, and creating menu offerings designed to satisfy your guests.

The next time you’re tasked with choosing a Iowa venue, be sure to ask, “What’s on the menu?” You’ll be glad you did.